Thorax and lung injuries arising from the two earthquakes in Turkey in 1999.

STUDY

OBJECTIVE

To make a descriptive analysis of the frequency and the type of thorax and lung injuries among the casualties of the two devastating earthquakes that occurred in Turkey in 1999.

DESIGN

Records of the hospitalized patients injured in the earthquakes were examined retrospectively.

RESULTS

Among the total of 356 hospitalized patients, 21 (9.7%) in the Izmit earthquake and 6 (7.6%) in the Duzce earthquake had thorax and lung injuries. Pneumothorax and rib fractures were the two most frequent pathologies and accounted for 50% and 33.3% of the injuries, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Approximately 10% of the casualties of a great earthquake may be expected to have thorax and lung injuries, and traumatic chest diseases should be considered in planning the medical response strategies.